Page 28 - 2012 AMA Summer

EX ANNAPURNA TIGER 2011
OCdt Adam King
Nepal is best known for its towering mountains and peaks that have challenged humans to their very limits but Exercise Annapurna Tiger focussed on a slightly different trail in the
Himalayan kingdom. The Officer Cadets of Exeter University Officer Training Corps (EUOTC) may have dreams of one day conquer- ing Everest but the aim of this trekking expedition was to reach Annapurna Base Camp at a maximum elevation of 4130m. The route follows the Annapurna Sanctuary Trail, which is arguably one of the best treks in the world, giving a true demonstration of the staggering scale of the Himalayas and its beauty.
The EUOTC recruits students from Exeter, Plymouth and sur- rounding South-West universities and just like any unit in the British Army it has a strong emphasis on adventure training with personal encouraged to get involved. Students are also encouraged to orga- nise adventure training so Officer Cadet (OCdt) Adam King started planning for Nepal in January and became the expedition leader. OCdt Emily King (no relation!) became the second in command, thanks to her mountain leader training, and the group was joined by two senior instructors, Corporal David Gleave from the RAF Moun- tain Rescue Service and Sergeant Gary Naylor, Royal Engineers. The group of 15, consisting of nine male and six female personnel, met in Wyvern Barracks on the 31st August to get kitted out with everything they might need and flew out to Kathmandu the next day in high spirits!
After a hair raising fast decent into Kathmandu, due to the plane having to go up and over the mountains, we arrived and experi- enced true Gurkha hospitality. A small army of Gurkhas from the British Gurkhas Nepal HQ had been sent to assist us through pass- port and visa control and drive us to the HQ compound in the city. Anyone who has visited this part of the world can tell you that driv-
26 ARMY MOUNTAINEER